Dreamland Margate has announced that it will be free to enter during its 2019 opening season.
The Margate attraction is waiving its £5 entry fee when the main amusement park reopens on 6th April, allowing guests to explore the vintage park again and again over Easter and pay per rides if they wish.
There will be queue jump and discounted wristband options for non-members who book their visit online in advance at www.dreamland.co.uk, while Dreamland Members will have unlimited rides and further perks throughout the spring and summer.
The new visitor incentive has been launched in recognition of a momentous year ahead for Margate, when the Turner Prize will be hosted at Turner Contemporary.
CEO Eddie Kemsley, who rejoined the company in January 2019, said the move was about creating a sense of togetherness for the swell of visitors expected to journey to Margate this year and to prepare for Dreamland’s 100th anniversary in 2020.
She said: “2019 is going to be a major moment in Margate’s history. Thousands of people will be flocking here for the Turner Prize build-up, many of whom will experience Margate for the first time. This is the perfect opportunity to open our doors and give them the warmest welcome possible with free access at the start of the season.
“When people arrive in Margate, we them to feel free to explore every part of the town’s creative core – its galleries, its businesses, its beach and its beautiful vintage amusement park.
“Dreamland also has so much to offer – 24 rides over a 12acre park – so guests should feel free to spread out their visits over the spring holidays with ease. And we have some extremely exciting plans for our opening weekend party to announce very soon…”
Dreamland is one of the oldest surviving amusement parks in the world, and was reimagined and revitalised in 2015. The 12acre park has 24 rides vintage theme park rides, including the famous Scenic Railway wooden rollercoaster, and is popular social space with a small festival-feel, with landscaped seating areas, performance stages, and numerous food and drink outlets.
The park will be reopen on 6th April 2019 for weekends, Bank Holidays, and from Wednesdays to Sundays during the school holidays.
Last season (2018), Dreamland visitors paid a £5 entry fee to the park (redeemable against a ride or a soft drink) and paid for rides on a pay-as-you-go card or with wristbands.
This year, visitors will no longer have to pay the £5 entry fee to access the park between 6th April and 24th May, and can continue to pay per ride.
To provide the best possible experience, guests can purchase ride wristbands in advance (currently 25% off when bought online at www.dreamland.co.uk) that allow them to skip queues and ride for free all day, or choose Dreamland Membership for unlimited rides during park opening plus special discounts and exclusive membership perks on food and drink and ticketed events all year round.
The amusement park also hosts high profile indoor and outdoor music and entertainment events throughout the year. This year’s line up on the outdoor Scenic Stage includes Happy Mondays, May The Fourth Sunset Session with DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Annie Mac. These events will continue to be priced individually.
Eddie Kemsley added: “We believe this is the best option for the opening season, and will not only please our current customers but also entice new ones to Margate.
“The park has expanded substantially since it first opened, and we want more visitors to discover everything we have to offer.
“Dreamland is part of Margate’s cultural heartbeat, and we look forward to an incredible 2019.”
